I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit

Your support has carved the path for these bonus chapters—may they bring you joy.

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In Teyvat, the concept of New Year or Spring Festival existed as well.

However, in the game, players typically experienced these festivities in Liyue, where the event wasn't called the Spring Festival but the Lantern Rite Festival.

For the Traveler, however, celebrations rarely meant a break from work—they were often assigned tasks or quests during these festivals. Every Lantern Rite, the people of Liyue would release Xiao Lanterns into the night sky, honoring the past and praying for the future.

There was even a running joke among Genshin Impact players: "The thousands of lanterns floating in the sky were all crafted by a single player."

While everyone else enjoyed the holiday, players busily tackled their long list of quests. Yet, the rewards were undeniably worth the effort—it was a mix of pain and joy.

But for Kiichi Hougen, a rare visitor to Teyvat, participating in Liyue's Lantern Rite Festival wasn't an option.

A festival, at its heart, was about togetherness. Instead of venturing to an unfamiliar foreign land, she chose to stay and celebrate with her three disciples.

Yes, three disciples now.

Her eldest, Sara; her second, Itto Arataki; and the youngest, Gorou.

After successfully recruiting the most troublesome Itto, Kiichi Hougen had also brought Gorou back and made him her disciple. Though Gorou had joined only slightly later than Itto, that small difference made him the youngest.

Recently, Itto had taken full advantage of his seniority, often dragging Gorou along to participate in his harebrained schemes.

Whenever these antics occurred, it was Sara, the eldest, who was left to clean up the mess. As for Kiichi Hougen, she never bothered to intervene—in fact, she often seemed to enjoy the chaos.

The dynamic among the four of them was oddly reminiscent of the Journey to the West troupe: the master and second disciple were always causing trouble, the third disciple had a steadier temperament but wasn't much help, and it was up to the eldest sibling (or Sara, in this case) to resolve the issues.

The key difference, of course, was that Kiichi Hougen didn't actively invite disaster like Tang Sanzang, nor would she ever be caught by a group of monsters. After all, Kiichi Hougen was far more powerful.

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The sky outside darkened, streaked with fiery clouds that resembled a maiden's shy blush.

Inside the small house, the warm orange glow of a hanging lamp bathed the room in a cozy atmosphere.

"Master… Master…"

"Hold still. This outfit really is a pain to put on. Who even designed such difficult clothing? And why has it lasted this long?"

Standing behind Sara, Kiichi Hougen muttered complaints as she tied the obi around her disciple's waist.

"And… done!"

With the final adjustment complete, Kiichi Hougen eagerly scurried to the front to admire her work.

"Wow!"

The sight before her was breathtaking.

Sara's long, silken hair cascaded over her shoulders, falling naturally down her back. Her gaze was lowered, her cheeks flushed a deep red that reached the tips of her ears. She was dressed in a purple kimono adorned with elegant jacaranda blossoms, their delicate blue patterns adding a touch of ethereal beauty. A pure white silk shawl draped over her shoulders, extending down to her waist.

"Do I… look strange like this?"

Sara's hands nervously intertwined at her abdomen, her voice soft and hesitant. She dared not lift her eyes to meet her master's.

"Nonsense!" Kiichi Hougen was quick to reassure her, giving a thumbs-up. "It's absolutely perfect! Sara, you look amazing in a kimono."

"R-really?" Sara's eyes flickered with nervousness. She raised her hands, still clasped, to cover half her face. "If it's Master's compliment… then I suppose it must be true. That… makes me happy…"

Though still youthful in build, the kimono lent Sara an air of maturity, perfectly capturing the phrase kimono beauty. Kiichi Hougen's praise wasn't the least bit exaggerated—Sara truly wore the outfit stunningly.

"Though…"

Sara lifted her arm slightly, the long sleeve swaying gently with the motion. Her expression grew a touch conflicted.

"This outfit… it's hard to move in."

"This isn't battle gear—it's more like formal attire," Kiichi Hougen chided. "Must you always prioritize mobility? Wearing clothes, you think about whether they're suited for combat. Sightseeing, you wonder if it's a good place for an ambush. Shopping, you ask yourself if an item can double as a weapon. You're missing out on so many of life's joys."

"But… what if something really happens? This outfit would be such a hindrance…"

Blushing, Sara tugged at her sleeve, then fidgeted with the obi.

"Also, this fabric is so luxurious… Doesn't it seem wasteful to use it on me?"

"That's nonsense." Kiichi Hougen crossed her arms and replied firmly, "It's the New Year—you should wear new clothes. If I made you wear shabby, poorly made rags, wouldn't that reflect badly on me? What kind of master can't even provide decent clothes for their beloved disciples?"

"By the way, your two junior brothers also got new outfits."

After all, fairness was important. A good master—or leader—must ensure everyone felt equally valued.

While Sara's outfit was a kimono, Itto and Gorou received haoris. The flowing design had a dashing appeal that Kiichi Hougen thought suited them perfectly. Perhaps she was influenced by her admiration for Okita Souji, but to her, haoris—whether white or sky blue—were undeniably cool.

The kimono and haoris weren't store-bought—they were handcrafted by Kiichi Hougen herself.

Although her expertise lay in forging weapons and armor, her long life had allowed her to acquire many skills, including tailoring. With the help of magic, making these garments wasn't particularly difficult.

She had also imbued the clothing with enchantments. Cleaning and purification spells were standard, especially since she knew how messy Itto could be. Without such spells, his outfit would surely be ruined within a day. Additional enchantments increased the fabric's durability and provided some protective capabilities.

These weren't just new clothes—they were magical attire.

While they might not significantly enhance combat abilities now, they were undoubtedly practical and convenient magical gear.

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Greetings, esteemed Readers,

Your steadfast support throughout this journey has been as constant as the tides and as enduring as stone. In the spirit of gratitude, I am pleased to announce the release of bonus chapters, a reflection of your unwavering dedication and enthusiasm.

Should you wish to continue fortifying the foundation of these tales, WiseTL's efforts can be supported here:

[patreon.com/WiseTL].

Even the humblest contribution becomes part of an enduring legacy, a cornerstone for tales yet to unfold.

With utmost sincerity,

— Zhongli